Background

ABRESIST® basalt lined steel pipe used to convey abrasive bottom ash at American Electric Power's Gavin Plant consists of 12 lines of 10" and 12" ID ABRESIST pipe. Older ABRESIST pipe, still serviceable after almost 20 years of use, was interspersed with the new ABRESIST pipe.
Coal Fired Electricity Generating Plant

American Electric Power's (AEP) Gavin Power Plant located on the Ohio River in Cheshire, OH is the largest electricity generating station in Ohio.

Built in 1973 with operation beginning in 1974, the plant has a generating capacity of 2.6 million kilowatts and consists of two-1.3 million kilowatt units. Energy created by the power plant is pumped into a grid which supplies power to a seven state area.

The coal fired plant burns about 20,000 tons of coal daily or 6 million tons of coal annually when both units are functioning. The bituminous coal burned by the plant has an ash content of 19%. With a consistency of coarse sand, the bottom ash is extremely abrasive.
Abrasion Resistant Basalt Lined Pipe

In 1973, ABRESIST basalt lined pipe and elbows were installed during initial construction. The straight sections of pipe had a 7/8" thick basalt lining. The elbows had an 11/8" wall.
Low Levels Of Pipe Wear

When AEP installed scrubbers at the plant recently, the bottom ash pipe had to be moved to make room for the new equipment. As workers removed the original basalt pipe they discovered that much of it had withstood 19 years of erosion associated with bottom ash and was reusable.

The straight sections placed in 1973 showed only 20% wear. The original elbows received more abrasion from the change in flow direction and showed more wear. The basalt lined pipe has handled all of the plant's bottom ash since its construction and is still use.
Durability and Pricing

According to AEP officials, the durability of the basalt lined pipe coupled with Abresist's competitive pricing were deciding factors in deciding to go with Abresist again. For the new construction, workers laid 4000' of 10" pipe and 2500' of 12" basalt lined steel pipe. The original basalt lined pipe was interspersed with the new pipe. Any pipe not reused was stockpiled for future use.

The new 10" and 12" pipe came in 18' sections and was epoxy coated. Like the original pipe, the straight sections had 7/8" basalt lining; the elbows had 1-1/8" lining.